The luxury of a kind draw in a race where draws can be so unkind looks the edge that Richard Gibson-trained Gold-Fun needs to land the $12 million Champions Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon, reports Racing Post HK.

The penultimate Group One of the season has a history as a tough one for favourites and even more so as a tough race to win from an outside draw, and that will demand thatAble Friend (Joao Moreira) is every bit the horse that his trainer John Moore believes him to be.

Perhaps due to its place at the back end of the campaign, the Champions Mile has seen only two successful outright favourites and plenty of surprises, the most notable the downing of Silent Witness in 2005 that ended his 16-race unbeaten record. Winners have come at prices up to 64-1, including Able Friend's owner mate, Able One at 33-1 in 2007, so it is a race where the favourites earn their success.

Trainer Richard Gibson believes a slightly fresher Gold-Fun (Douglas Whyte) than the five-year-old he presented for the Hong Kong Mile in December can turn the tables on his conqueror, Glorious Days (Karis Teetan) and the race should break for him. Gold-Fun has lived his career unheralded, unexpected and under-rated but proved himself tough and willing, with all the tools to make use of his barrier two.

Inside him he has Blazing Speed (Neil Callan), whose trainer Tony Cruz has hinted at pushing forward early - though whether in pursuit of the front or the box seat remains to be seen as the horse has acted better with cover, something he didn't get in the either the Gold Cup or in Dubai.

If it's the box seat for Blazing Speed, then that will suit Gold-Fun as Whyte will have the chance to stay two off the rail and let the race unfold around him without spending anything to be there, and positioned to make his run when he likes.

Meanwhile, for Able Friend, the pace of the race in the first 300m will be absolutely crucial.

Connections of South African star Variety Club (Anton Marcus) have been happy to spread about that he doesn't have to lead, but any perusal of his replays suggests it remains very likely and he has few options from gate 12.

Not going forward could take the heat out of the pace, and that would prove tricky for Able Friend but ensure Variety Club has a difficult trip himself.